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Cross the Line
Nora Robertson has two remain invisible and don’t tell anyone you're the anonymous author of the hottest romance series in the country.
When her family starts grilling her about being perpetually single, she needs a wedding date fast. Cue Zayden Stark — a charming, chaotic bad boy. Her best friend’s brother.
Between the mounting pressure of football and grades that could risk him losing his scholarship, the last thing Zayden needs is a distraction.
So Nora and Zayden strike a tutoring in exchange for a plus-one. But as steamy nights blur the line between fake and real, Nora begins to realise that she and Zayden might be taking their fake romance way too far.
With their past coming back to haunt them, and a stalker threatening to expose their secrets to the world, Nora and Zayden may have taken on more than they bargained for.
These two may be total opposites, but they might be exactly what the other needs.
Filled with sizzling chemistry and a suspenseful twist, Cross the Line is perfect if you're looking
🩷 Fake dating
🩷 College football romance
🩷 Best friend's brother
🩷 Forced proximity
🩷 Dual POV
🩷 Australian setting
🩷 Spice
When her family starts grilling her about being perpetually single, she needs a wedding date fast. Cue Zayden Stark — a charming, chaotic bad boy. Her best friend’s brother.
Between the mounting pressure of football and grades that could risk him losing his scholarship, the last thing Zayden needs is a distraction.
So Nora and Zayden strike a tutoring in exchange for a plus-one. But as steamy nights blur the line between fake and real, Nora begins to realise that she and Zayden might be taking their fake romance way too far.
With their past coming back to haunt them, and a stalker threatening to expose their secrets to the world, Nora and Zayden may have taken on more than they bargained for.
These two may be total opposites, but they might be exactly what the other needs.
Filled with sizzling chemistry and a suspenseful twist, Cross the Line is perfect if you're looking
🩷 Fake dating
🩷 College football romance
🩷 Best friend's brother
🩷 Forced proximity
🩷 Dual POV
🩷 Australian setting
🩷 Spice
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2026
9 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 3, 2026
This is perfect if you want a romance book that is very low on drama because the mc’s are both green flags who know what a healthy relationship should look like lol. I finished this quite quickly because not only was it short & fast-paced, but the added little bit of suspense kept me on my toes. I sadly still don’t understand NRL🤣
Zayden is impulsive, confident, disorganised, outgoing, & messy. Nora is his complete opposite. She is quiet, reserved, organised af, & timid. She was also freakishly relatable, especially in terms of her luck with guys. These two were huge green flags. They both knew how to communicate, & were always open, honest, & vulnerable with each other, which is why they worked so well and it’s what made their relationship feel SO easy & natural. I loved the mutual pining, & the tension at the beginning had me blushing!
Thank you to Penguin Australia for my arc!
I’m now going to sit here & beg for a Cami x Parker book asap😩🙏🏼
Read if you like: best friends brother, forced proximity, roommates, fake dating, sports romance (NRL), university/college romance, Australian setting, secret identity
Zayden is impulsive, confident, disorganised, outgoing, & messy. Nora is his complete opposite. She is quiet, reserved, organised af, & timid. She was also freakishly relatable, especially in terms of her luck with guys. These two were huge green flags. They both knew how to communicate, & were always open, honest, & vulnerable with each other, which is why they worked so well and it’s what made their relationship feel SO easy & natural. I loved the mutual pining, & the tension at the beginning had me blushing!
Thank you to Penguin Australia for my arc!
I’m now going to sit here & beg for a Cami x Parker book asap😩🙏🏼
Read if you like: best friends brother, forced proximity, roommates, fake dating, sports romance (NRL), university/college romance, Australian setting, secret identity
February 6, 2026
Lauren knows what she's doing with her college romances because these two had me giggling and kicking my feet a lot! Zayden and Nora were hot, sexy, fun and so wholesome! I wish there was more of them because their chemistry is off the charts!
overall rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
blush rating: 🍅🤭
Nora, our hard working, organised and secret best selling author, is determined to keep to her simple life, but when she's told she must bring a plus one to her family's wedding, she's not sure who to ask... until Zayden Stark, chaotic football player, incorrigible flirt and her best friends brother is in need of tutoring... she realises they can help each other.
Zayden, the charming, tattooed, adrenaline junky football player is struggling to get his grades ups and with his position on the line, he needs help. So when the universe thrust his sisters best friend, Nora Robertson, in his path, he couldn't help be feel drawn to her. The perfect deal was formed. She helps him with tutoring and he helps her keep her family from asking her about her love life and starting up a fake dating ruse... only, they didn't plan to cross the line.
Nora was such an enjoyable character. I love her fearlessness of writing and creating stories that are best selling novels, depending only on herself because her family were horrible people, and her fiery personality. She's a little shy and nervous but that girl is veryyyyy freaky and we love that hehehehe. Especially Zayden, he definitely loves it.
Zayden, met sweet man, feels like he's 'stupid' because his ADHD stops him from focusing in class and makes him irritable but Nora, makes him feel worthy and smart. She doesn't judge him or mock him but makes it easier for him to process the information and I think that's so sweet and intimate.
Oh, and we can't forget the forced proximity when he moves her into his house because her roommates locked her out... one accidental towel slip and Zayden was a goner for Nora even more than he was. They had the most delicious tension and connection ever!!!!! Ugh I was sweating and clutching my sheets anytime they flirted or got close. AHHHHHH! And Zayden is a biker boy!?!?!?! YES YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES.
Zayden is such a lover boy and he didn't realise how gone he was for Nora. That man was so proud of her when he found out she was a best selling author and that people would read her books on the streets, he wanted to scream from the rooftops how amazing she was and that was everything to Nora. He saw her and that is the most romantic thing someone could do for her. Someone who adored her and cared about her dreams and accomplishments.
Nora was such a great support system to Zayden, with all the confused feelings he had about talking to his mum after all the trauma he tried to rise above, his mother keeping bringing up this bad memories and Zayden didn't know how to move forward. Nora was such a sweet soul for helping him through it and guiding him int the right decision, whatever he made and that she would be there every step of the way. Just like how he had stood up for her against her family and all the horrible comments they were making about her. These two broken souls learned to heal and became the best versions of themselves because they had someone to build them up.
These two have my entire heart, seriously. They are sickeningly sweet but they're also deliciously spicy! Who would have guessed sweet and shy Nora would have nipple piercings (bi panic activated) that Zayden would be absolutely obsessed with hehehehe. Also the freedom to try new things because they felt so open and honest about the things they liked... the toys, the foreplay, the lead up, the unbreakable tension UGHHHHH! THEY HAD ME SWEATINGGGG! I honestly was fanning myself with my book! They are both so hot I don'y know if I want one or both of them BWHAHAHA!
I also loved the side plot of the stalker that had little crumbs placed throughout the book. I almost believed that it was Zayden writing those notes to Nora as well but by the second one I had started piecing together the differences in the way Zayden gives her gifts and the ones she was being left. I never would have guessed it was Riley but wow! It had me gasping and covering my moth in shock! Learning she was the 'man' Nora had a relationship online with and never saw and learned it was a super fan... intense! I loved this side plot a lot and added much more suspense into the novel.
I honestly could talk about this book for days and days but Zayden and Nora are truly one of the sweetest and hottest couples I've read about in a while and I loved this book so much! GO BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT ASAP! I also love supporting local Aussie authors with my entire heart.
A huge thank you to Lauren Jackson and Tanya from Penguin Books for sending me a beautiful PR box with a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
overall rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
blush rating: 🍅🤭
Nora, our hard working, organised and secret best selling author, is determined to keep to her simple life, but when she's told she must bring a plus one to her family's wedding, she's not sure who to ask... until Zayden Stark, chaotic football player, incorrigible flirt and her best friends brother is in need of tutoring... she realises they can help each other.
Zayden, the charming, tattooed, adrenaline junky football player is struggling to get his grades ups and with his position on the line, he needs help. So when the universe thrust his sisters best friend, Nora Robertson, in his path, he couldn't help be feel drawn to her. The perfect deal was formed. She helps him with tutoring and he helps her keep her family from asking her about her love life and starting up a fake dating ruse... only, they didn't plan to cross the line.
Nora was such an enjoyable character. I love her fearlessness of writing and creating stories that are best selling novels, depending only on herself because her family were horrible people, and her fiery personality. She's a little shy and nervous but that girl is veryyyyy freaky and we love that hehehehe. Especially Zayden, he definitely loves it.
Zayden, met sweet man, feels like he's 'stupid' because his ADHD stops him from focusing in class and makes him irritable but Nora, makes him feel worthy and smart. She doesn't judge him or mock him but makes it easier for him to process the information and I think that's so sweet and intimate.
Oh, and we can't forget the forced proximity when he moves her into his house because her roommates locked her out... one accidental towel slip and Zayden was a goner for Nora even more than he was. They had the most delicious tension and connection ever!!!!! Ugh I was sweating and clutching my sheets anytime they flirted or got close. AHHHHHH! And Zayden is a biker boy!?!?!?! YES YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES.
Zayden is such a lover boy and he didn't realise how gone he was for Nora. That man was so proud of her when he found out she was a best selling author and that people would read her books on the streets, he wanted to scream from the rooftops how amazing she was and that was everything to Nora. He saw her and that is the most romantic thing someone could do for her. Someone who adored her and cared about her dreams and accomplishments.
Nora was such a great support system to Zayden, with all the confused feelings he had about talking to his mum after all the trauma he tried to rise above, his mother keeping bringing up this bad memories and Zayden didn't know how to move forward. Nora was such a sweet soul for helping him through it and guiding him int the right decision, whatever he made and that she would be there every step of the way. Just like how he had stood up for her against her family and all the horrible comments they were making about her. These two broken souls learned to heal and became the best versions of themselves because they had someone to build them up.
These two have my entire heart, seriously. They are sickeningly sweet but they're also deliciously spicy! Who would have guessed sweet and shy Nora would have nipple piercings (bi panic activated) that Zayden would be absolutely obsessed with hehehehe. Also the freedom to try new things because they felt so open and honest about the things they liked... the toys, the foreplay, the lead up, the unbreakable tension UGHHHHH! THEY HAD ME SWEATINGGGG! I honestly was fanning myself with my book! They are both so hot I don'y know if I want one or both of them BWHAHAHA!
I also loved the side plot of the stalker that had little crumbs placed throughout the book. I almost believed that it was Zayden writing those notes to Nora as well but by the second one I had started piecing together the differences in the way Zayden gives her gifts and the ones she was being left. I never would have guessed it was Riley but wow! It had me gasping and covering my moth in shock! Learning she was the 'man' Nora had a relationship online with and never saw and learned it was a super fan... intense! I loved this side plot a lot and added much more suspense into the novel.
I honestly could talk about this book for days and days but Zayden and Nora are truly one of the sweetest and hottest couples I've read about in a while and I loved this book so much! GO BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT ASAP! I also love supporting local Aussie authors with my entire heart.
A huge thank you to Lauren Jackson and Tanya from Penguin Books for sending me a beautiful PR box with a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
February 3, 2026
Best friends brother, fake dating, he falls harder, hidden identity, found family, university, sports, Australian romance. Yes, yes, yes. Cross the Line is book 2 in Australian author Lauren Jackson's Stratton University series and follows university student/secret author Nora Robertson and university student/football player Zayden Stark. I loved, loved, loved this book. The plot line, characters, setting and emotions are written to absolute perfection. I loved the vulnerability that was displayed by both Nora and Zayden. For Nora, it was her hidden author identity and not feeling like she fit in anywhere and for Zayden it was his academic struggles. Nora and Zayden are such easy characters to connect with because their struggles are often ones that everyone struggles with. I loved seeing the goofy, wild child side of Zayden and how he was able to bring Nora out of her shell and feel more comfortable within and confident about herself. I loved that Nora didn't treat Zayden like a child with his academic issues like so many others would but rather helped him and explained it in a way he could understand. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Cross the Line and highly recommend grabbing yourself a copy and reading it asap.
Thank you so so much to Lauren and the team at Penguin Australia for sending me the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Cross the Line by Australia author Lauren Jackson is out now in paperback and ebook.
Thank you so so much to Lauren and the team at Penguin Australia for sending me the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Cross the Line by Australia author Lauren Jackson is out now in paperback and ebook.
February 3, 2026
Oh my goodness 🥹 my favourite book couple in this series! Zayden & Nora! I relate to Nora’s hidden identity so much, wanting to hide yourself because you are afraid of people finding out the real you. Her finally being able to be herself in the real world was my favourite moment in the book! We love you NORA ROBERTSON 🥰 Zayden, my boy 🥹 you are a wild child with the sweetest heart! Zayden helped Nora in so many ways 😉🤭 Zayden also had to deal with some difficult things from his past too. But he took like an adult should!
Brothers Bestfriend ✅
Fake Dating ✅
Overcoming The Past ✅✅
Guys 😍 Cross The Line is out NOW!!
Brothers Bestfriend ✅
Fake Dating ✅
Overcoming The Past ✅✅
Guys 😍 Cross The Line is out NOW!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
2 days! That’s all it took for me to consume this book. I loved the writing and the storyline. The characters were so relatable and the spice was SPICY!!!🥵please tell me there is a book 3 coming. Please let it be Parker and Cami 🤞🏻
The books gods were with me cos when I reached out to Lauren on Instagram asking how can I possibly get my hands on an advanced copy and then emailed her team a couple months later it turned on my door. I don’t have a following and I’m not an influencer but for Lauren to go out of her way and get her team to send me a book has been the highlight of my year.
The books gods were with me cos when I reached out to Lauren on Instagram asking how can I possibly get my hands on an advanced copy and then emailed her team a couple months later it turned on my door. I don’t have a following and I’m not an influencer but for Lauren to go out of her way and get her team to send me a book has been the highlight of my year.
February 5, 2026
‘I’m so happy I found you.’ He whispers. ‘I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for someone like you.’ - Zayden
‘I never want to know a life without you in it.’ - Nora
Whatever Lauren Jackson writes I will read!
I loved Zayden and Nora’s story. The best part was no miscommunication, no break ups and they fully trusted each other. Just loved!
Hoping there’s a book three in our future (Cami and Parker!)
‘I never want to know a life without you in it.’ - Nora
Whatever Lauren Jackson writes I will read!
I loved Zayden and Nora’s story. The best part was no miscommunication, no break ups and they fully trusted each other. Just loved!
Hoping there’s a book three in our future (Cami and Parker!)
February 8, 2026
4.5 stars
February 9, 2026
the first book was so good, but this was disappointing tbh
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews